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NATA is the National Air Transportation Association
Founded in 1940, NATA aggressively promotes safety and the success of aviation service businesses through its advocacy efforts before government, the media and the public as well as by providing valuable programs and forums to further its members’ prosperity. |
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Professional Line Service Training |
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 PLST Online provides the most up-to-date training available for line service specialists – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Line service supervisors can conduct the new PLST Online training anytime and from anywhere there is access to the Web.
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139 Fire Safety Training Online |
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This training not only meets and exceeds the requirements of 14 CFR 139.321 but also allows you to interact with other students in a group learning environment, receive the very latest NFPA news, watch live training presentations and much more. |
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| Media Focuses On Industry Oversight In Wake Of Mid-Air Accident |
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| Saturday’s mid-air collision between a small piston aircraft and an air tour helicopter in New York City has elevated the media focus on both the airspace rules in the city and the safety of air tour flights.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is still in the very early stages of the investigation and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, himself a pilot, has called for a calm and thoughtful evaluation of the situation. Unfortunately, several political figures are calling for a closing of, or imposition of significant restrictions in, the airspace where the accident occurred.
Additionally, the local area and national media are connecting the accident to the recently published Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspector General (IG) report on the safety and FAA oversight of on-demand carriers. At this time however, there is no indication that the air tour operation was conducted in an unsafe manner, nor has FAA oversight been cited by the NTSB as even a potential factor.
NATA has previously responded to the claims made in the IG report and is working to communicate factual information about the industry to the media. | |
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| Industry Input Needed For Survey On FAA Inconsistencies |
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| Have you ever been faced with an FAA inspector demanding changes to your business because of personal preference or a misunderstanding of the regulatory requirements?
If yes, NATA needs your input!
Take the brief survey on inconsistent FAA regulatory interpretations NOW!
One of the biggest burdens confronting the general aviation industry is the varying interpretation of FAA regulations by the agency's Regional, Aircraft Certification and Flight Standards District Offices.
To gauge the impact of these variations, NATA has launched a special survey. Obtaining survey responses is of great importance as the Government Accountability Office (GAO) is now conducting a review of inconsistencies in how field inspectors interpret and apply requirements on regulated entities.
All interested aviation businesses that are certificated by the FAA are asked to complete a brief anonymous survey that will allow the association to present summary data related to this important issue.
NATA will compile the survey data received and provide a summary of the results to the GAO. The association is hopeful that the final GAO report will prove the significance of the issue, highlight a need for change within the FAA, and propose solutions that can address the problem.
NATA pledges to keep all information strictly confidential unless the submitter specifically agrees to be contacted and to have their information used in an identifiable way.
The survey is available via a link on the NATA homepage at www.nata.aero or by clicking here. | |
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| Santulli Leaves NetJets |
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| Chairman, CEO and Founder of NetJets, Inc. Richard Santulli will be departing the company he started 25 years ago. In a press release published last week, it was announced that Santulli will immediately step down from his current position and will remain on as a consultant with NetJets for the next year.
Santulli, who pioneered the fractional ownership concept in the mid-1980s, explained that his departure was to allow him to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests.
David Skol has been appointed as Chairman and interim CEO of NetJets, Inc. | |
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| Pilot Safety Bill Causes Concern |
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| NATA has published a legislative report detailing H.R. 3371, The Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act. This legislation contains several provisions intended to improve air carrier safety and pilot training. However, it also contains significant changes to the pilot background checks required under the Pilot Records Improvement Act. NATA is concerned about the impact these changes will have on the membership.
Click here to review NATA’s legislative report. | |
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| Comment Period Extended For CRM Proposal |
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| Last week, the FAA extended the comment period for its proposed rules to require crew resource management training (CRM) for all Part 135 single and dual pilot operations. The proposal follows recommendations made by the NTSB and a Part 135 rulemaking committee. The FAA will now accept comments through September 28, 2009.
NATA has already submitted comments. The association generally supported the proposal to incorporate formal CRM training for Part 135 but cautioned the FAA on several areas that could create difficulties for smaller operators. Specifically, the association called on the FAA to provide a standard program for single-pilot operators to adopt and asked the agency to ensure that inspector delays in approving programs or defining CRM training program content were minimized.
Affected operators are encouraged to review the proposal and submit comments as appropriate.
View NATA's comments by clicking here.
Information on submitting comments is available in the FAA's notice of proposed rulemaking. | |
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| GA Shipments Continue To Decline |
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| Data released by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) shows that, for the first half of 2009, general aviation airplane shipments fell 45.9 percent and billings are down 22.7 percent.
GAMA indicated its members are encouraged that the overall economic picture is improving, which is necessary for a recovery in the general aviation industry.
More information, including specific shipment data for various aircraft types is available in GAMA’s press release. | |
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| Learn About Commercial Operator Taxes From The Industry’s Best |
| Register Now Before Member Discount Rate Ends |
| Having trouble navigating today’s convoluted maze of FAA regulations and federal, state and local taxes? Do you need help mastering the complicated tasks of financial planning and managing aircraft operating costs? Register now to attend NATA’s Commercial Operators Tax Seminar to be held in San Antonio, TX, September 23-24.
This two-day informative seminar includes presentation from several well known speakers who understand your business and will help you find a direct route to mastering these complicated issues. Conklin & de Decker’s Nel Stubbs and NATA’s Jacqueline Rosser will be joined by:
Brandon Battles, Conklin & de Decker, Owner
Brandon Battles is an owner with the aviation-consulting firm of Conklin & de Decker, which he joined in 1995. His primary responsibilities include the development of MxManager, a maintenance tracking, inventory, and work order software package, and AMAS, a service that converts detailed maintenance cost data into management information. In his free time, he lends a hand to the firm’s consulting business. Battles earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Austin College in 1978 and has completed over 30 hours of masters level course work in accounting from Texas Tech University. He became a certified public accountant in 1986. Battles works out of the firm’s Arlington, Texas office.
Dan Darwish, Corporate America Aviation, Inc., Founder
Dan Darwish created Corporate America Aviation, Inc. in 1989 after working 19 years in various positions in air cargo, general aviation, airport management and aviation finance where he observed management run - and often ruin - many aviation businesses. Conceived from the conviction that Darwish could do better, Corporate America Aviation was born and continues to grow. Today, they are a 20-year-old boutique style, brick and mortar operation, long pre-dating the Internet, and enjoy a diverse, global clientele – many of whom have remained onboard since day one. As one of the oldest air charter brokerage firms in the U.S., Corporate America Aviation functions as 'agents of the customer' for their passengers and offers an 'agent of the air carrier' program for Part 135 operators.
Eileen Gleimer, Crowell & Moring, LLP, Partner
Eileen Gleimer specializes in aviation law with emphasis in business aviation. She represents and advises large and small businesses as well as individuals owning, operating and managing corporate aircraft and fractional interests in commercial transactions involving, among other things, the purchase, sale, lease and financing of business and commercial aircraft and the regulatory issues relating to the operation of the aircraft. Gleimer participated in the FAA Part 135/125 Aviation Rulemaking Committee established by the FAA administrator to review and revise existing regulations governing Part 135 air carriers and the Fractional Ownership Aviation Rulemaking Committee that developed the recommendations that form the basis of the regulations governing fractional ownership.
Tobias E. Kleitman, Time Value Property Exchange, Inc., President/Founder
Tobias has twelve years of experience and has structured over $20.0 Billion in complex tax-deferred exchange transactions under Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 for many Fortune 500 corporations, privately held corporations, leasing companies, and wealthy individuals on their real estate, corporate aircraft, vehicle, and heavy equipment portfolios. Prior to founding TVPX, Tobias was a Senior Vice President at Apex Property Exchange Inc. and graduated from Syracuse University.
This seminar is a must-attend for key charter and management company personnel including directors of operations, directors of maintenance, CFOs, CEOs, COOs and controllers. A discount rate is available to NATA members registering on or before August 15th. Click here for more information and to register now. | |
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| Advanced Training For Impeccable Line Service |
| ALSST Seminar, San Diego, September 23-24 |
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There is no room for complacency on the line. NATA’s Advanced Line Service Supervisor Training Seminar provides the tools and information to make your men and women on the line even more confident, knowledgeable and ready to overcome any supervisory challenge that comes their way. This two-day seminar will energize your supervisors and inspire them to strive continually for exemplary customer service and stellar line safety.
Advanced topics include dealing with challenging employees, legal compliance as a leader, promoting teamwork and synergy, managing risk, hiring practices, performance evaluations, creating a healthy safety culture and top-notch customer service.
Special Discount Registration Rate Available Until August 15! Find out what the ALSST Seminar is all about August 26. Frank Surface and Walter Chartrand will host a free Webinar to give you a chance to get to know them, provide a closer look at the agenda topics and answer your questions about the program. Find out more about why this seminar is a must-attend event. The special discounted rate will be extended for those interested in learning more on August 26. More details will follow regarding this seminar and the Webinar event by email or send an email to mailto:webinars@nata.aero to make sure that you are included on the invitation list.
ALSST Helpful Links
Click here for more information regarding this seminar and online registration
Click here for information about San Diego
Seminar Sponsors
Ascent Aviation Products
Western Petroleum Company
Prist Aerospace | |
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| Environmental Fact Of The Week |
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| NATA’s quick facts on the aviation industry's effect on the environment are designed to ensure that members take every step necessary to minimize the effect aviation has on the environment while recognizing the initiatives the industry has taken to reduce global warming.
Over the last few months, much of the attention to environmental issues has been focused on global warming and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency is engaged in the process of regulating GHG emissions from new cars and trucks, and Congress is reconsidering “cap & trade” legislation. It is very important, however, to remember that there are many things businesses can do, everyday, to be environmentally responsible.
NATA has developed a series of environmentally conscious best practices for aviation companies. These best practices were created by an industry leading engineer who specializes in aviation environmental compliance and have been approved by the NATA Environmental Committee. The following environmental best practices are available to NATA members:
- Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC)
- Hazardous Waste
- Storm Water Pollution Prevention
- Used Batteries
- Used Oil
- Used Fluorescent Lamps
NATA recommends that member companies customize these policies and procedures to their operation and insert them into standard operating procedure. Doing so will help members continue to minimize their impact on our environment.
NATA’s environmental best practices can be viewed here. | |
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